Top for vehicles and the like



F. K. LEWIS TOP FOR VEHICLES AND THE LIKE Filed Feb. 1, 1922 INVEN TOR.

flea levz s. BY

A TTORNEY" roadster type.

Patented Dec, 30, 1924,

tilTE ram) K. LEWIS, or ASHIABULA, euro.

T0]? ron VEHICLES arm THE Lian.

Application filed February T 0 (ZZZ whom it may concern.

Be it known that I, FRED K. LEWIS, zen of the UnitedStates, and a resident of Ashtabula, county of Ashtabula, and State of Ohio, nave invented a new and useful Improvement in Tops for Vehicles and the like, of which the following is a specification, the principle of the lnvention being herein explained and the best mode in which I have contemplated applying that principle, so as to distinguish itfrom other inventions. v

The present improvements relate more particularly to tops of the so-called oneman type, such as are now extensively used on automobiles, wherein the extreme forward or outrigger bow is carried by means of swinging arms pivotally attached-to the upper portlon of the main bow, or equivalent support, so that such arms with such outrigger bow extend substantially horizontally in the open position of the top and together constitute what may be termed an articulated auxiliary how.

The object of the invention is the adaptation of such an articulated auxiliary bow for use with a single rearwardly inclining main bow. In such case it is necessary to carry from such articulated auxiliary bow at least two supplemental bows, if the top is to be of any considerable longitudinal extent, i. e., if it is for use on a so-called phaeton'type of body in contradistinction to a In conjunction with such supplemental bows I provide at the same time means for interconnecting the same with each other and with the forward portion of the auxiliary bow or voutrigger bow proper, so that said bows will move in unison when the top is folded or unfolded; also means for rigidly supporting the outrigger structure from the main bow in the open position of the top;

To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, the invention, then, consists of the means hereinafter fully described and particularly pointed out in the claims, the annexed drawing and the following description setting forth in detail certain mechanism embodying the invention,such disclosed means constituting, however, but one of various mechanical forms in which the principle of the invention may be used.

In said annexed drawing Fig. 1 is a side elevational view of a top supporting structure embodying my present a citi:

1, 192a; Serial 1%. 533,431.

improvements, such top being shown as mounted on an automobile body or tonneau of conventional form; and Fig. 2 is a similar view showing a modification in construction.

It is of course a matter of indifference whether the top is used on automobile, motor-boat or otherwise, and, depending upon its longitudinal extent, a smaller or larger number of bows, in addition to the outrigger structure of present interest, may be utilized. It will also be understood that the term bow is used herein inclusively to designate not merely the wooden bow prope1, but also the metallic sockets carrying the same, these parts when regarded in side elevation constituting the equivalent of the so,- called sticks, as they are called, in the old wood structure. It is accordingly a matter of convenience to refer to the parts in the singular, as though the structure all lay in a single vertical plane, since the parts do ac tually lie in sucha plane.

As previously indicated, the top covering 1 is designed to be entirely supported through an appropriate outrigger structure from a single main how 2. The latter, which is of substantial construction, in view of the weight it is thus designed to carry, is pivotally supported upon or attached to the body at the point 3 in the usual manner, so that it may be laid down and carried in a substantially horizontal plane when the top is not in use. Normally, in the extended or open condition of the top, said main now 2 inclines rearwardly at an angle of approximately forty-five degrees to the horizontal, being held from rising higher by the top covering or rather by special straps (not shown) or extensions of the longitudinal strainers, which, as is well known, are used to connect the bows together and provide supporting means for the top covering intermediately between said bows. For the purpose in hand such straps or strainers may be regarded as a part of the covering material.

The outrigger structure comprises a main articulated auxiliary bow, or, as it is sometimes called, out]? gger bow 6, the latter term referring more particularly to the outer portion "or bow 7 proper, which is secured to the main bow 2 by means of an. arm 8 (one on each side of course) pivotally attached to said main bow and to the rear end of such outrigger bow, and so constituting the inner portion of said articulated auxiliary bow 6. The point of attachment of this arm to the main bow is preferably in line with, or just above, the side edge of the cover, so as toloe hidden by the latter, and the joint 9 between'said arm and the outrigger bow is a rule orloek joint disposed so as to preventfurther bending of the arm in question, when extended in horizontal fashion, as in open condition of'the top illustrated inFig. 1.

Pivotally attached to the varm 8 are two supplemental bows 10 and 11, whose points ofpivotal attachment are so spaced, and

whose an ular positions in the open conditlon of the top are so ad usted, by means presently to be described. as to support the top covering 1 at suitably spaced intervals between main bow 2 and outrigger how 7. The rearmost supplemental how 11 is provided with an extension or short arm 12 that is connected through the medium of a link 13,'with the main bow 2 at a point somewhat below the point of attachment of the side arm 8 to said main bow. A stop 14 on swing arm 8. just forwardly of the point of pivotal attachment of said supplemental how 11. engages with the latter in the extended or open position of the top soas to prevent further bending of the joint between extension 12 and link 13 and thus constitute a rigid connection of the partsin question under the weight of the arms 8 and parts carried thereby. upon'breakmg the joint between said extension 12 and link 13, the arms 8 can be 1 swung downwardly against the main how supplemental bows 10 and 11, and a separate l nk '16 connecting said supplemental bow 10 and the outrigger how 7, being attached o said sup lemental bow at a point beyond the point of attachment thereto of the first link i 15, as clearlv shown in Fig. 1.

The result of the foregoing construction is that when joint 9 is broken, the joint between extension 12 and link 13' will be simultaneously broken, or vice versa. and

i j the two supplemental bows will be folded up n unison as the outrigger bow 7 is swung back in parallel relation with the main bow the reverse o eration occurring when the top is being unfolded or opened.

In'place of a stop 14 on the swing arm 8t WjllBI'QWltlI supplemental bow 11 contacts. in the open position of the top. the joint between extension 12 and link 13 may be provided with a stop 17, as shown in Fig. 2,

However,

such stop constituting a lock joint which will function in exactly the same way as said previously described stop 14.

In either of the, two forms of construction just described, an unusually rigid and stable support for the folded outrigger structure is provided, andyet, owing'to the relative fewness of parts and their disposition the structure folds up in very com pact form when it is desired to have the top out of the way. Operation either in opening or closing is simple, rendering the top "capable of manipulation by one person.

()ther modes of applying theprinciple ofmy invention may beemployed instead of the one explained, change being made as regards the mechanism herein disclosed, provicled the means stated by'any of the following claims or the equivalent of employed. i I I therefore particularly point out anddistinctlv claim as my invention g 1.111 atop for vehicles and the like, the combination of a main bow; a two-partar ticulated auxiliary bow adaptedto have its such stated means be two sections in substant ally horizontal alinement when in open position, and having its rearportion pivotally attached to said main bow; a supplemental bow pivotally attached to the rear portion ofsuch auxiliary bow and having anextension; a link connecting such extension with said mainbow below the point of attachmentof said auxiliary bow thereto; ineans adapted to prevent further bending of the joint between such extension and said link in the open position of the top; a second supplemental bow pivotally attachedfto the rear portion of said auxiliary bow forwardly of said first-named supple mentalbow; and two links, one connecting said supplemental bows and the other conmeeting; said second supplemental bow with auxiliary bow and the point of attachment of said second link to said second supplemental bow lying above thepoint "of at tachment of said first link thereto, whereby said bows may be brought into substantially parallel relation when the top is folded.

2. In a top for vehicles and the like, the combination of a main how; a two-part articulated auxiliary bow adapted to have its two sections in substantially horizontal alinement when in open position. and having its rear portion pivotally attached to i said main bow; a supplemental bow pivotally attached to the rear portion of such auxiliary bow and having an extension; a link connecting such extension with said main bow below the point of attachment to said auxiliary bow thereto; the joint between such extension and said link'beingformed to lock in open position of thetop; a second supplemental bow pivotally attached to the rear portionof said auxiliary bow forwardly of said first-named supplemental joint between such extension and said link,

above the point of attachment of said first bow; and two links, one connecting said supplemental bows and the other connecting said second supplemental bow with said auxiliary bow and the point of attachment of said second link to said second supplemental stantially horizontal alinement when in open position, and having its rear portion pivotally attached to said main bow; a supplemental bow carried by the rear portion of said auxiliary bow and having an extension; a link connecting such extension with said main bow below the point of attachment of said auxiliary bow thereto, said link lying at approximately right angles to said main how when the top is open; means adapted to prevent further bending of the in such open positionto the top; a second supplemental bow pivotally attached to the rear portion of said auxiliary bow forwardly of said first-named supplemental bow; and two links, one connecting said supplemental bows and the other connecting said second supplemental bow with said auxiliary bow and the point of attachment of said second link to said second supplemental bow lying link thereto, whereby said bows may be brought into substantially parallel relation when the top is folded.

4. In a top for vehicles and the like the combination of a single main bow arranged to incline rearwardly in the open position of the top; a two-part articulated auxiliary bow adapted to have its two sections in substantially horizontal alinement when in open position, and having its rear portion pivotally attached to said main bow; a supplemen tal bow carried by the rear portion of said auxiliary bow and having an extension; a link connecting such extension with said main bow below the point of attachment of said auxiliary bow thereto, said link lying at approximately right angles to said main bow when the top is open and the joint be tween such extension and said link being formed to lock in such open position of the top; a second supplemental bow pivotally attached to the rear portion of said auxiliary bow forwardly of said first-named supplemental bow; and two links, one connecting said supplemental bows and the other connecting said second supplemental bow with said auxiliary bow and the point of attachment of said second link to said sec ond supplemental bow lying above the point of: attachment of said first link thereto, whereby said bows may be brought into substantially parallel relation when the top is folded.

Signed by me, this 28 day of Janry., 1922.

FRED K. LEWIS. 

